KCP dominates NBA summer league

It's old, but you may want to read this article on Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's early summer league performance.  After a shaky rookie season, KCP has a real chance at a breakout sophomore year in the NBA.

He finished off his freshman campaign going shot for shot with Kevin Durant in Oklahoma City, and now he's trying to carry that momentum into the 2014-15 season.  The Pistons' signing of Jodie Meeks may offer a little extra motivation.

Not surprisingly, his scoring and defense are starting to come around:

Over the first two games at the NBA Summer League in Orlando, KCP is averaging a league-high 28 points on 46 percent shooting, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals and 2 turnovers per contest.  He's also getting plenty of attention from the whistle, getting to the line 8 times per contest and converting on those shots at 88%.  Pope is matching this offensive performance with trademark defensive hustle, playing the role of de facto defensive playmaker.  Beyond his main focus at shooting guard, Pope is switching off onto the opponent's hot hand at the point and small forward as needed.  The results have been a little mixed, but the effort is noteworthy in an exhibition where defense is usually left at the door.

More surprising, he's starting to find his voice:

Beyond the numbers, it's the voice of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope that has been the most surprising this summer.  On court, Pope actively coaches the still-very-raw Tony Mitchell on offensive sets.  He echoes every play call Peyton Siva shouts after crossing half-court.  He challenges Justin Harper to either put the ball or the player on the floor when they penetrate, a lesson Harper just didn't seem to learn against Memphis' Jordan Adams.  He even encourages 33-year-old Brian Cook to box out on one end and find the stroke that's evading him on the other.  In two games this summer, I heard more communication out of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope than I did last year in Orlando and the entire regular season in Detroit.

It should be exciting for Dawg fans to see KCP's maturation into (hopefully) a productive pro.  Setting aside the obvious benefits to the program, it's just been awhile since a Georgia fan could tune into an NBA game and see a Bulldog making a difference (no offense intended, Damien Wilkins).

As a bonus, USA Today pegged Caldwell-Pope one of the "9 players who gained the most" in summer league play.

Keep it up, Kentavious.  Dawgnation is watching.

h/t Mike Payne